Sturgisland here we come!
UPI April 1, 2008
Press Release
Disney and Harley-Davidson Announce Joint Venture.
CEO’s Michael Eisner of Disney and Jim Zeimer of
Harley-Davidson announced today in
Hollywood
that the two firms will join forces in a joint venture for a new
theme park to be constructed, as Eisner put it, “Somewhere in the
west that will exemplify the best of what
America
stands for.”
Tentative names for the new park are being studied
but Chairman Zeimer hinted that it would most likely be called
Sturgisland in honor of the small Dakota community, mecca for fans of the popular
motorcycle. Eisner stated that weather conditions in the
Dakotas
prompted the two giants to get together and provide as he put it, “A
real down home American experience open 365 days a year.” Zeimer
added that,” Now everyone can go to Sturgis anytime they want.”
Details were not specific but both Eisner and
Zeimer indicated that the full force of Disney and Harley-Davidson
would be behind the effort, including a number of
Harley-Davidson repair shops
positioned on major highways to provide service for riders and their
machines to, as Zeimer
put it, “ Take care of our loyal customers in their time of need.”
Eisner commented that with the advantageous
position that the GATT agreement provides, all merchandise sold in
the retail and souvenir shops would be manufactured in either
Beijing
or
Tijuana,
BC displaying a new composite logo
featuring Mickey Mouse riding a Harley-Davidson wearing a World War
Two style helmet favored by many enthusiasts.
A select few park
themes were provided in the press release package,
Both Eisner and Zeimer would not comment further, but stated
that “What we want to do here is conjoin Disney, Harley-Davidson
and the American People in a
safe and controlled environment and to break down the myths that
motorcyclists are somehow different than regular people.”
According to the press release, the park would be
thematic and areas of entertainment would follow the time-tested
Disney method of naming the various areas, rides and streets in
honor of the Harley-Davidson product line. "In the works," according
to the release will be Knuckleheadland, Panhead USA, EVO Alley,
Flathead Lane and others to be named at a later date. Futuristic
rides and expositions will include “The Magic Mountain Hillclimb and
the Hall Of The Presidents in honor of the giant Carvings located in
the Black Hills.” A bust of George
W. Bush will be added wearing
the popular military style helmet.
For a look at what the new
theme park might look like
CLICK HERE.
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